Bike Pics

[Buckb]

OK, Trying again, here are our bikes, Mine is the Pearl White SF11Special w/purple flames, my wife's 79F was 2 1/2 years in building.

Her 79F - We removed the backbone and replaced with single tube, lowered seat area 4 inches, shortened the bike, powder coated the wheels, raked front to 34 degrees, made custom seat, streetsweeper composite fenders front and rear, chrome swingarm, rear drive and engine side covers.

[Buckb]

pics

http://photos.yahoo.com/gypsycustomcycles

[Ken Talbot]

Very nice!!

[Buckb]

Thanks

thanks Ken, you guys have been a great help to me since I joined a few years back. I keep collecting XS's and love them, love restoring and also love customizing them. Thanks again, Buck

[dntemp_ca]

Outstanding custom work! Love to see these old bikes restored or reborn as customs. Did you make the forward controls from scratch or adapt them from another brand?

[Buckb]

I bought the forward control on ebay. Fabricated my own mounts to adapt them. Dont know if you can see but the master cylinder for the rear brake is on the forward control and used an inline pressure brake light switch. I preferred this approach than using forward controls that linked to the existing XS mastercylinder.

[Swampthing]

Great bikes ..some like um original but I like the modified look myself.......What gas tank and speedo did you use?

[Parr8hed]

Wow, great work. I prefer original stuff myself, but love to see what others can do. I do like the lower seat high however! Sharp looking bikes!

[Brian_D]

cannot say WOW enough! especially like your wife's 79F - very impressive.

so, what are your fees to take an 81 Midnight Special and customize similar to the '79F? of course it would be lowered, stretched, and raked - need to fit my 6'7" 250lb frame.

again, two beautiful bikes! thanks for sharing.

[pathfinder]

Very NICE

Wow, you sure make em nice in Georgia. Wish I had the talent.

[Buckb]

We used the 2 piece early Harley or custom 5 gal Fat Bob tank with Top tank mounted dash/speedo. We also eliminated the entire wiring harness and all the redundant electronics except the harness coming from the pick up coils.

Cost?? Scares me to think about it, was lots and lots of hours. BUT, a partial list: Forward Controls - $250, Headlight $130& mount $19, forward control linkages $50, stainless steel brake lines & fittings$220, Fat Bob Tank $99, Dash $110, Mirrors $79, Custom Chrome Handlebar controls, $115, Handlebars $79, Fenders $330, Tombstone tail light and turn signals$90, Powder Coat $250, Seat(we made) Upholstery $150, as Caps $30, chrome swing arm and engine side covers off ebay $175...lots and lots of labor and fabrication....

WE (my wife) wanted a bike that wasn't like any other so cost wasn't a main concern.

[BossHogg]

WOW!!! are you sure thats an XS Eleven. Thats Incredible, Really nice

[skids]

Ditto!

Originally posted by BossHogg
WOW!!! are you sure thats an XS Eleven. Thats Incredible, Really nice

[Czekus21]

You should be proud of your work. Very Very nice. Cost? What cost. If it's something you like to do and something that you'll be keeping for awhile. Then as far as I'm concerned, cost is not an issue. An item is only worth what people are willing to pay for. I've been to auctions and seen some low buck things go for ungodly amounts. Xsample. A $5.00 wicker basket sold for $350.00 . You've got a couple of diamonds there. How do they ride? They look comfortable.

[sermn8ter]

Those are amazing bikes. Couldn't tell it was a Yamaha without looking close. I just bought an '80 XS. I live in Lawrenceville, GA. Do you know any mechanics who work on these old bikes? I want to learn how to maintain it, but I need to get some basic stuff done to get me riding this summer. Carbs definitely need cleaning and maybe rebuilding. Looks like I have a fuel leak somewhere, from what I read probably the petcocks. I think that would get me going. But I can't find anyone to work on it. Any help?